In a close game, the 13th-ranked Pequot Lakes girls basketball team eked out a one-point 69-68 victory in the final seconds against Pine River-Backus on Thursday, March 11.
The Patriots entered halftime with an eight-point lead, but a few key turnovers turned the tide in PR-B’s favor.
“We had the tempo early,” head coach Brian Lempola said. “We were playing well, but had a few missed assignments defensively. You have to give Pine River credit, because they battled and they hit some shots. They came out of halftime really strong and they took advantage of some turnovers.”
The Tigers had a six-point lead in the final minute of the game, but some free throws from Ella Kratochvil and Isabel Larson narrowed the gap down to just two points, when Maci Martini managed to make a layup, draw a foul in the process and sink the ensuing free throw to give Pequot Lakes a one-point advantage with just seven seconds remaining.
Martini led the Patriots with 19 points while Kelsi Martini tallied 12. Eleven Patriots made it into the scoring column as Pequot Lakes improved to 15-2 on the season.
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“The kids played with a ton of guts and just emptied the tank,” Lempola said. “They just kept believing in each other … It’s just a credit to our kids and their will to be successful.”
The Tigers were led by Ramsey Tulenchik with 26 points, while Rylie Hirschey had 20 and Olivia Adkins had 16.
Pine River-Backus 26 42 -- 68
Pequot Lakes 34 35 -- 69
PINE RIVER-BACKUS
Olivia Adkins 16, Rylie Hirschey 20, Jaime Johnson 2, Emily Hanneken 1, Ramsey Tulenchik 26, Hannah Barchus 3. FT 18-26 (69%). Overall: 10-7. Next: at Henning 3 p.m. Saturday, March 13.
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PEQUOT LAKES
Carly Chaney 7, Isabel Larson 7, Kelsi Martini 12, Maci Martini 19, Elisa Flaws 3, Sydnie Wgeishofski 4, Morgan Eckes 5, Afton Crocker 3, Kaitlyn Geschwill 3, Lauren Schultz 2, Ella Kratochvil 4. FT 19-21(90%). Overall: 15-2. Next: at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 15.
Patriots 63, Wolves 54
Maci Martini scored a game-high 23 points as Pequot Lakes closed out the regular season with a 63-54 win over Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Monday, March 15.
The Patriots held the Wolves to just 19 first half points.
Larson added 18 points while Kelsi Martini put in 11.
The Patriots finished the season with a 15-2 record.
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Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 19 35 — 54
Pequot Lakes 29 34 — 63
WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY
Aubrey Morrison 20, Ally Sea 6, Emma Deegan 17, Alexa Johannsen 2, Kali Oelschlager 9. FT 4-8 (50%).
PEQUOT LAKES
Isabel Larson 18, Kelsi Martini 11, Maci Martini 23, Morgan Eckes 1, Afton Crocker 3, Kaitlyn Geschwill 3, Ella Kratochvil 4. FT 14-21 (%). Overall: 15-2.
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Pequot Lakes 73, Park Rapids 35
Maci Martini scored a team-high 19 points and was followed by Kelsi Martini with 14 and Carly Chaney with 12 as Pequot Lakes defeated Park Rapids 73-35 in a Mid-State Conference game Tuesday, March 9.
The Patriots swept the season series defeating the Panthers 43-36 Jan 28.
Park Rapids 11 24 -- 35
Pequot Lakes 40 33 -- 73
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PARK RAPIDS
Tori Weaver 18, Olivia Davis 2, Chloe Trepfar 4, Maddy Moninga 4, Yil Inemi 3, Gabby Shapersky 2, Julia Harmon 2. FT 9-13 (69%).
PEQUOT LAKES
Carly Chaney 12, Isabel Larson 2, Kelsi Martini 14, Maci Martini 19, Elisa Flaws 6, Sydnie Wgeishofski 3, Morgan Eckes 8, Afton Crocker 2, Lauren Schultz 5, Ella Kratochvil 2. FT 6-11 (55%).
